19th December 2011
The Port strike may not be about money for the striking Maritime Union members, but it is a serious concern for many affected small-medium Auckland businesses.

Nearly 700 Auckland Chamber of Commerce member businesses, mainly SMEs, took up the invitation late last week to hold a virtual protest to voice their concern over the impact of the waterfront strike.

Many expressed strong concern that the continuing action is putting them at financial risk, and were amazed and bewildered by the seeming indifference of the union members to others affected by the strike, given that their average pay is $91,000 - more than double the average weekly wage.

There was an overwhelmingly (99%) agreement that it is unreasonable for such a small part of Auckland’s workforce to hold our region to ransom, noted Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett.

Samples of responses include:

An importer of furniture components experiencing severe delays for fitout projects by sole operators with strict deadlines to be completed before the return to work in mid-January - “This strike action could spell the end for many of these small businesses.”

Another importer: “I have personally had shipments that have been affected by this action and it has cost me and my small company $30,000 in lost sales due to the late arrival of my goods.”

“We have lost one major account already due to this Union action creating delays in our ability to deliver. “We are now considering if we should instruct our freight forwarder to bring all our goods in through Tauranga. At least then we can have more confidence in the timing of our supply which we can then provide our customers.”

“Having containers diverted through Tauranga has had a double impact on our business with the delay in arrival by rail at the Neilson Street depot and the long waiting time our drivers have to be able to pick up the container. This is affecting our business severely.”

“We currently have 7x40ft containers held up with this strike which is affecting 10 factory workers who are currently working less overtime as a result. It is a real shame for the waterfront workers to effect other worker’s Xmas this way....”

The selfishness of the watersiders persisting with strike action despite being highly paid was a recurring theme of many respondents:

“I would willingly give up my 12 hour-a-day stressful job to get this money and benefits.... “

“These guys need to wake up and smell the wages; there are many people out of work who would give anything to do an honest days labour for the sort of money and benefits the strikers are getting.”

“This country needs everyone to help us get out of debt and become a better place for our children’s future. If $91,000 is not enough they should be fired and replaced by others who will be glad to work for that.”

Numerous respondents are greatly worried at the impact of the strike on Auckland’s image and its long-term implications:

“Absolutely - this is a tipping point which will cost Auckland big time....”

“It is certainly harming Auckland’s reputation and sending business elsewhere with little regard for the long term impact and the inevitable potential job losses of the very people who are causing such harm.”

Commenting, Michael Barnett observed that the responses to the virtual protest reinforced the vulnerability of doing business in today’s uncompromising, competitive world, especially for SMEs who make up 95% of Auckland’s business community and provide many thousands of jobs.

“Vulnerability is something businesses trading internationally deal with every day. However, a significant service provider like New Zealand’s largest port should not be one of those risks. Business should be able to have certainty in the service it provides.”

Having a relatively small number of watersider’s attending meetings and taking decisions to extend the strikes is shameful. “If right is on their side, they should be able to sort it out in a way that doesn’t put Auckland’s small businesses and associated jobs at risk.”